China took the incredible ninth consecutive win in Asiad men's
gymnastics team competition in Dohaon Saturday, beating arch rival
Japan with 377.100 points.
China featured its "dream team" back from Aarhus gymnastic
worlds where they upset Russia by 2.375 points to snatch the team
title. Japan finished third in Aarhus for two serious errors made
by all-around specialist Hiroyuki Tomita.
In Doha, Japan was downed by China again with a gap of 4.05
points and South Korea achieved 371.500 points to stand third.
Although Chinese former Olympic champions Huang Xu, Li Xiaopeng
and Teng Haibin did not come due to injury, the Chinese men's
gymnastic team dominated the Asiad arena.
"I am very relaxed during the match. I don't think it's a
surprise at all to win the team title as we just committed to our
training after the world championships and our coach arranged good
preparation for the Asian Games," said Yang Wei, the newly-crowned
triple world champion.
"I don't think the number of gold is that important, but you
need to learn something from the match and learn how to get strong
for next match," said Yang.
Chinese head coach Huang Yubin was satisfied with the team's
performance. "We fully showed our strength and our spirit in the
competition," said Huang.
"But the Asian Games can only be regarded as a mid-term test,
and the real challenge will come at the Beijing Olympic Games in
which we will give all of our ginger to win."
Huang tipped Yang Wei as the favorite for all-around gold here
after the qualificaiton round. "Yang Wei has an edge over Tomita at
the moment and is more likely to win Monday's all-around," Huang
predicted.
Yang Wei is in the first place, followed by Tomita, after the
all-around qualification. The two rivals will replay the scenario
of Aarhus on Monday's matchup.
Chinese teenager Zou Kai fell down from high bar and missed the
final over the discipline. "Zou Kai's mistake in high bar cost his
chance to reach the final, so I think it is a disappointment for
us," said Huang.
With Aarhus and Doha victories, the Chinese men's gymnastic team
has walked out of the misery from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in
which it finished only fifth.
(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2006)
